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Hong Kong Medical Journal = Xianggang... Oct 2020Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is an uncommon congenital malformation characterised by agenesis or hypoplasia of the vagina and uterus. Here, we...
INTRODUCTION
Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is an uncommon congenital malformation characterised by agenesis or hypoplasia of the vagina and uterus. Here, we describe the treatment of patients with MRKH syndrome in a tertiary hospital.
METHODS
This retrospective study included patients with MRKH syndrome attending the Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology Clinic in a tertiary hospital. Their clinical manifestations, examinations, and methods for neovagina creation were recorded. Among patients who underwent vaginal dilation (VD), therapy duration, vaginal width and length at baseline and after VD, complications, and sexual activity and dyspareunia outcomes were evaluated.
RESULTS
Forty nine patients with MRKH syndrome were identified. Their mean age at presentation was 17.9 years; 69.4% and 24.5% of patients presented for primary amenorrhoea treatment and vaginoplasty, respectively. Forty eight patients had normal renal imaging findings and 46 XX karyotypes. Seventeen (34.7%) patients underwent VD as first-line therapy; three did not complete the therapy. Two had surgical vaginoplasty, whereas five achieved adequate vaginal length by sexual intercourse alone; 25 had not yet requested VD. The mean duration of VD was 16±10.2 (range, 4-35) weeks. The widths and lengths of the vagina at baseline and after VD were 1.1±0.28 cm and 1.3±0.7 cm, and 3.1±0.5 cm and 6.9±0.9 cm, respectively. The overall success rate of VD was 92.3%. Vaginal spotting was the most common complication (21%); only one patient reported dyspareunia.
CONCLUSIONS
Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome is an uncommon condition that requires multidisciplinary specialist care. Vaginal dilation is an effective first-line approach for neovagina creation.
Topics: 46, XX Disorders of Sex Development; Adolescent; Congenital Abnormalities; Dilatation; Female; Humans; Mullerian Ducts; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Retrospective Studies; Tertiary Care Centers; Treatment Outcome; Vagina
PubMed: 33060366
DOI: 10.12809/hkmj208467 -
AJOG Global Reports Nov 2023Vaginal stenosis is a common complication following construction of a neovagina with vascularized myocutaneous flaps. This is primarily because of inconsistent or...
INTRODUCTION
Vaginal stenosis is a common complication following construction of a neovagina with vascularized myocutaneous flaps. This is primarily because of inconsistent or inappropriate vaginal dilator use. Image-guided recanalization, especially for obstructed genitourinary tracts, is an emerging idea in interventional radiology. Although multiple surgical techniques have been reported to treat vaginal agenesis or obstruction, the idea of image-guided recanalization of vaginal stenosis is a relatively new management strategy for vaginal stenosis.
CASE
We present a challenging case of a patient who initially presented with the complaint of increasing pelvic pressure after the creation of a neovagina via vaginoplasty. She had a distal neovagina created after extensive surgical resection for a large infiltrating pelvic rectal adenocarcinoma. A computed tomography scan revealed a fluid-filled neovaginal abscess. Examination under anesthesia revealed complete stenosis of the neovagina with no identifiable tract for dilation.
INTERVENTION
A computed tomography scan and fluoroscopy-guided sharp recanalization of the stenosed neovagina was performed, followed by serial fluoroscopic balloon angioplasty to dilate the stenosed neovagina. Finally, the patient underwent a gynecologic surgery for the excision of remaining granulation tissue to produce a more permanent patent neovagina, followed by regular and proper use of vaginal dilators to ensure patency.
CONCLUSION
This case report demonstrates that image-guided techniques can be used to aid in vaginal recanalization in the postoperative setting.
PubMed: 37701754
DOI: 10.1016/j.xagr.2023.100257 -
Frontiers in Global Women's Health 202298% of stillbirths occur in low- and middle- income countries. Obstructed labor is a common cause for both neonatal and maternal mortality, with a lack of skilled birth...
BACKGROUND
98% of stillbirths occur in low- and middle- income countries. Obstructed labor is a common cause for both neonatal and maternal mortality, with a lack of skilled birth attendants one of the main reasons for the reduction in operative vaginal birth, especially in low- and middle- income countries. We introduce a low cost, sensorized, wearable device for digital vaginal examination to facilitate accurate assessment of fetal position and force applied to the fetal head, to aid training in safe operative vaginal birth.
METHODS
The device consists of flexible pressure/force sensors mounted onto the fingertips of a surgical glove. Phantoms of the neonatal head were developed to replicate sutures. An Obstetrician tested the device on the phantoms by performing a mock vaginal examination at full dilatation. Data was recorded and signals interpreted. Software was developed so that the glove can be used with a simple smartphone app. A patient and public involvement panel was consulted on the glove design and functionality.
RESULTS
The sensors achieved a 20 Newton force range and a 0.1 Newton sensitivity, leading to 100% accuracy in detecting fetal sutures, including when different degrees of molding or caput were present. They also detected sutures and force applied with a second sterile surgical glove on top. The software developed allowed a force threshold to be set, alerting the clinician when excessive force is applied. Patient and public involvement panels welcomed the device with great enthusiasm. Feedback indicated that women would accept, and prefer, clinicians to use the device if it could improve safety and reduce the number of vaginal examinations required.
CONCLUSION
Under phantom conditions to simulate the fetal head in labor, the novel sensorized glove can accurately determine fetal sutures and provide real-time force readings, to support safer clinical training and practice in operative birth. The glove is low cost (approximately 1 USD). Software is being developed so fetal position and force readings can be displayed on a mobile phone. Although substantial steps in clinical translation are required, the glove has the potential to support efforts to reduce the number of stillbirths and maternal deaths secondary to obstructed labor in low- and -middle income countries.
PubMed: 36793358
DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.1039477 -
Translational Andrology and Urology May 2022The mechanisms of the microenergy acoustic pulse (MAP) therapy on restoring structure and function of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) after simulated birth injury are not...
BACKGROUND
The mechanisms of the microenergy acoustic pulse (MAP) therapy on restoring structure and function of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) after simulated birth injury are not well understood.
METHODS
A total 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly grouped into sham control (sham), vaginal balloon dilation and ovariectomy (VBDO), VBDO + β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN, an irreversible LOX inhibitor), and VBDO + BAPN and treated with MAP (n=6 in each group). The MAP therapy was administered 2 times per week for 4 weeks with 1-week washout, the functional and histological studies were conducted in all 24 rats. The viscoelastic behavior of the PFM, including iliococcygeus (IC) and pubococcygeus (PC), was examined with a biomechanical assay. The structure of the PFM was assessed by immunofluorescence and Masson's trichrome staining.
RESULTS
The leak point pressure (LPP) assay demonstrated that the MAP therapy group had higher LPPs compared to that of VBDO and BAPN groups. In the sham group, the muscular stiffness (K) of IC muscle was significantly higher than that of PC muscle while the pelvic floor muscle rebound activity (MRA) of PC muscle was stronger than that of IC muscle (291.26±45.33 and 241.18±14.23 N/cm, respectively). Both VBDO and BAPN decreased the MRA and increased the K in both IC and PC. Histologic examination revealed increased fibrous tissue (collagen) and degeneration of muscle fibers in both VBDO and BAPN groups. MAP therapy significantly reduced the collagen content and improved the architecture of muscle fibers.
CONCLUSIONS
MAP appears to restore the structure and function of PFM by regenerating muscular fibers and improving biomechanical properties in an animal model of simulated birth injury.
PubMed: 35693721
DOI: 10.21037/tau-22-30 -
Fertility and Sterility Aug 2021To determine if high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level in vaginal blood collected on a sanitary pad can assist with detecting an active miscarriage.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level in vaginal blood collected on a sanitary pad can assist with detecting an active miscarriage.
DESIGN
A prospective cohort study.
SETTING
Academic medical center.
PATIENT(S)
Five groups were evaluated: women with active miscarriage, pregnancy of unknown location, completed miscarriage or extrauterine pregnancy (EUP), ongoing pregnancy, and undergoing elective dilation and curettage (D&C).
INTERVENTION(S)
None.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
For each patient, AFP level in the vaginal blood collected on a sanitary pad was quantified.
RESULT(S)
The vaginal blood AFP median levels (and their ranges) were 3.7 IU/mL (0.5-739.2) and 4,542 IU/mL (15.6-100,000) in the active miscarriage (n = 16) and the elective D&C (n = 24) groups, respectively. Alpha-fetoprotein was detected in all elective D&C and active miscarriage cases except in 1 case. In the ongoing pregnancy group (n = 35), only 2 of 35 specimens showed detectable AFP levels. In the pregnancy of unknown location (n = 12) and the completed miscarriage or EUP (n = 10) groups, no AFP was detected. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated 93.7% sensitivity and 97.8% specificity for the detection of an active miscarriage (cutoff 0.61 IU/mL; area under the curve 0.96).
CONCLUSION(S)
Alpha-fetoprotein can be extracted from vaginal blood collected on sanitary pads. A high level of vaginal AFP can assist with the same-day detection of an active miscarriage. This novel test is useful in differentiating active miscarriages from ongoing pregnancies, completed miscarriages, and EUPs and, therefore, it reduces uncertainty, anxiety level, and number of repeat office visits.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Adult; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Vagina; Young Adult; alpha-Fetoproteins
PubMed: 33461753
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.10.006 -
Cureus Jun 2023Background Cesarean section (CS) involves the delivery of the fetus through incisions in the abdomen or uterine walls which is an alternative to vaginal delivery. In the...
Background Cesarean section (CS) involves the delivery of the fetus through incisions in the abdomen or uterine walls which is an alternative to vaginal delivery. In the majority of women, second-stage CS is performed without even attempting assisted vaginal delivery. This leads to difficulty for obstetricians for whether to perform an immediate CS or attempt a difficult vaginal birth as the effective method of delivery as CS are linked with higher morbidities which further increase when a CS is performed in the second stage. Hence, the present study was performed to find out obstetrics results in women undergoing second-stage CS. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary care center attached to a medical college to study obstetric outcomes in women undergoing second-stage CS from January 2021 to December 2022 on 54 postnatal women who underwent second-stage CS. Results The mean age was 26.7 ± 3.9 years ranging between 19 and 35 years involving a majority of primiparity women. Maximum patients were having gestational age between 39 and 40 weeks and had spontaneous labor. The main indication of second-stage CS was non-reassuring fetal status and the method of delivery mainly involved for the deeply impacted head was the modified patwardhan technique in which if the head is embedded deeply in the pelvis in the OP position the anterior shoulder is delivered first followed by the same side leg then opposite side leg followed by the arm is gently delivered. Baby's trunk, legs, and buttocks are moved out by pulling them carefully and gently. And lastly, the head of the infant is finally moved out. The intra-operative complications mainly found were an extension of uterine angle and the post-operative complication was post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). The most common neonatal complication was the requirement for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. In conclusion, the present study reported a hospital range between seven and 14 days in comparison to other studies that reported hospital stays between three and 15 days. Conclusion In conclusion, higher maternal and fetal morbidities were associated with CS performed at full dilation of the cervix. The most common maternal complication seen was an injury to uterine vessels along with PPH however neonatal complications included the requirement of NICU monitoring. As there are no appropriate guidelines for the same, formulation of guidelines for performing CS at full dilation is required.
PubMed: 37404394
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.39911 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology... Oct 2016The aim of the present study is to compare between sublingual administration of misoprostol and vaginal administration in the management of missed abortion.
AIM
The aim of the present study is to compare between sublingual administration of misoprostol and vaginal administration in the management of missed abortion.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted in El-Shatby Maternity Hospital on 160 patients diagnosed as missed abortion by ultrasonographic examination. Cases were divided into two groups according to the methods of misoprostol administration, whether sublingual or vaginal. Patients of the two groups were observed for the times of uterine colic starting, cervical dilation, and conceptus expulsion, along with recording of any side effects.
RESULT
During the follow-up of our cases we found that sublingual route is more effective than vaginal route in the management of missed abortion. The difference between the two groups in percentage of conceptus expulsion was statistically significant. The most common side effects were nausea which was present in 55 % of cases in group I (sublingual) and in 40 % of cases in group II (vaginal) then severe pain in 25 % of cases in group I (sublingual) and in 20 % of cases in group II (vaginal) and hyperpyrexia in 15 % of cases in group I (sublingual) and in 5 % of cases in group II (vaginal).
CONCLUSION
Sublingual administration of misoprostol is more effective than its vaginal administration in missed abortion management. Side effect of misoprostol as nausea, vomiting, fever is more common with sublingual administration in comparison with its vaginal administration.
PubMed: 27651573
DOI: 10.1007/s13224-015-0757-y -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2015Cervical priming before first-trimester surgical abortion is recommended in certain groups of women. Nitric oxide (NO) donors induce cervical ripening without uterine... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Cervical priming before first-trimester surgical abortion is recommended in certain groups of women. Nitric oxide (NO) donors induce cervical ripening without uterine contractions, but the efficacy and side effects are of concern.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate NO donors for cervical ripening before first-trimester surgical abortion, in terms of efficacy, side effects, and reduction of complications.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and POPLINE. We also searched reference lists of retrieved papers. We contacted experts in the field for information on both published and unpublished trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials comparing NO donors alone or in combination with other methods for cervical ripening in first-trimester surgical abortion.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently selected and extracted the data onto a data extraction form. We processed the data using Review Manager (RevMan 5) software.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 9 studies involving 766 participants. There were no serious complications (infection requiring antibiotic treatment, blood transfusion, complications requiring unintended operation, cervical injury, uterine perforation, death or serious morbidity) in the included trials.NO donors were more effective in cervical ripening when compared with placebo or no treatment. Baseline cervical dilatation before the procedure was higher in NO donors group (mean difference (MD) 0.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01 to 0.58) The cumulative force required to dilate the cervix to 8 mm (MD -4.29, 95% CI -9.92 to 1.35), headache (risk ratio (RR) 1.73, 95% CI 0.86 to 3.46), abdominal pain (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.50), or patient satisfaction (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.07) were not different. More nausea and vomiting occurred in the women who received a NO donor (RR 2.62, 95% CI 1.07 to 6.45).NO donors were inferior to prostaglandins for cervical ripening. The cumulative force required to dilate the cervix to 8 mm to 9 mm was higher (MD 13.12, 95% CI 9.72 to 16.52), and baseline cervical dilatation was less (MD -0.73, 95% CI -1.01 to -0.45) in the NO donor group. However, the probability of dilation greater than 8 mm at three hours was higher in the NO donor group (RR 6.67, 95% CI 2.21 to 20.09). Side effects including headache (RR 5.13, 95% CI 3.29 to 8.00), palpitation (RR 3.43, 95% CI 1.64 to 7.15), dizziness (RR 3.29, 95% CI 1.46 to 7.41), and intraoperative blood loss (MD 33.59 ml, 95% CI 24.50 to 42.67) were also higher. However, abdominal pain (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.44) and vaginal bleeding (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.27) were less in the NO donor group. No difference for nausea/vomiting in both groups(RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.46). Patient satisfaction was not different.One trial compared a NO donor with a NO donor plus prostaglandin. The cumulative force required to dilate the cervix to 8 mm was higher (MD 14.50, 95% CI 0.50 to 28.50) in the NO donor group. There was no difference in headache (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.38 to 2.00), abdominal pain (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.02 to 1.07), or intraoperative blood loss (MD -50, 95% CI -164.19 to 64.19).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
NO donors are superior to placebo or no treatment, but inferior to prostaglandins for first-trimester cervical ripening, and associated with more side effects.
Topics: Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; Abortion, Induced; Cervical Ripening; Female; Humans; Nitric Oxide Donors; Oxytocics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Prostaglandins; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 25927092
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007444.pub4 -
Journal of Menopausal Medicine Dec 2022Labial adhesions in postmenopausal women are caused by various inflammatory processes in the context of estrogen deficiency. Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic,...
Labial adhesions in postmenopausal women are caused by various inflammatory processes in the context of estrogen deficiency. Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic, progressive condition characterized by idiopathic epithelial thinning of the anogenital region with symptoms of significant pruritus, discomfort, and dyspareunia. Early diagnosis and treatment of LS can prevent disease progression, leading to labial adhesions and malignancy. We present an 84-year-old woman with long-standing vulvar Hailey-Hailey disease who developed labial adhesions. Clinical examination with vulvar biopsy revealed histopathological findings consistent with LS. Surgical separation of the labia by blunt dissection was then performed, and clobetasol ointment and vaginal dilatators were postoperatively prescribed. This resulted in a significant improvement in her symptoms. This is the first reported case of LS in a patient with Hailey-Hailey disease.
PubMed: 36647277
DOI: 10.6118/jmm.22020 -
Journal of Family & Reproductive Health Mar 2023Vaginal agenesis or atresia in females suffering from MRKH syndrome is more common and management involves both surgical and non-surgical approaches. Use of...
OBJECTIVE
Vaginal agenesis or atresia in females suffering from MRKH syndrome is more common and management involves both surgical and non-surgical approaches. Use of prefabricated stents to maintain the patency of the canal may not fit appropriately during the initial surgical phase and are not economical. This case report discusses a series of modifications in a custom-made vaginal dilator to improve the retention for expansion after surgical management of MRKH syndrome.
CASE REPORT
A 28-year-old female diagnosed with MRKH syndrome with characteristic Mullerian agenesis was referred for customised vaginal stent. Customised surgical stent was fabricated with loops for orientation and retention, which was later modified into interim expansion and passive stent.
CONCLUSION
The customisation of the vaginal stent, provision of a retentive loop that positioned the stent in the proper orientation, and gradual increase in the size of the stent, ensured dilatation in a patient with vaginal agenesis.
PubMed: 37538226
DOI: 10.18502/jfrh.v17i1.11978